Former Michigan standout has developed Detroit Tigers into elite pitching staff

Whoever said, “don’t let the Tigers get hot”, forgot to tell pitching coach Chris Fetter. As of the time this was written, Detroit has the best record in the MLB at 37-20, and one of the top pitching staffs in the MLB.

The biggest reason for the Tigers’ success on the mound? It can mostly be attributed to the work of Fetter, a former star at Michigan in his own right.

Michigan alum Chris Fetter has the Tigers pitchers dealing

Fetter was a four-time letterwinner as a pitcher for the Wolverines, as well as a three-time All-Big Ten selection and an All-American. He helped Michigan reach four NCAA tournaments and win three Big Ten championships. Fetter is the school’s all-time leader in innings pitched (332.1) and is third in wins (28) and strikeouts (281).

Fetter was drafted in the 9th round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the San Diego Padres and spent four years in the minor leagues. It was in San Diego where Fetter met current Tigers manager AJ Hinch.

Following his playing career, Fetter began coaching in the minors in 2013. After a few different stops over the next several seasons, he returned to Michigan to be the pitching coach (2018-20).

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From Fetter’s bio on the Michigan website: “The former Wolverine was hired by Head coach Erik Bakich on July 24, 2017 and has propelled U-M to premier status on the national landscape for his ability to evaluate and develop pitching talent.”

Since joining the Tigers in 2020, Fetter has developed their pitching staff to elite status. In 2024, Tarik Skubal became the best pitcher in baseball, taking home the AL Cy Young Award. Skubal led the MLB in strikeouts (228), tied for a league-high in wins (18) and finished second in ERA (2.39). Fetter was named the 2024 Baseball America Coach of the Year.

The difference in 2025 is the Tigers have a complete rotation contributing. Detroit brought back Jack Flaherty after trading him to the Dodgers at the deadline last season, and he’s been a stellar No. 2 behind Skubal.

So far in 2025, both Skubal and Flaherty are top-15 in the league in strikeouts. Additionally, former No. 1 pick Casey Mize is showing his potential, as he sits with a 6-1 record, 2.45 ERA and 1.01 WHIP.

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In his second season, Jackson Jobe is already showing signs of a high-level starter. Will Vest, Tommy Kahnle and Brant Hurter have been important contributors out of the bullpen as well.

Out of 15 Tigers hurlers with at least ten innings pitched, ten have an opposing batting average of .250 or lower. As a team, Detroit ranks 5th in ERA (3.22), and 7th in strikeouts (495).

The Tigers have just two pitchers older than 29 (Kahnle and John Brebbia), and one of the best farm systems in the league to boot. As long as Fetter is around, Detroit should have one of the best pitching staffs in the league for the foreseeable future.

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